Systems and methods for reuse of wireless communication resources in neighboring communication networks

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for managing reuse of a wireless medium are provided. One method of managing reuse of a wireless medium includes determining, at an access point, whether to allow reuse of the wireless medium by one or more stations in a basic service set (BSS). The method further includes transmitting, upon determining to allow reuse, an indication that reuse of the wireless medium can be permitted for stations meeting a criteria. The method further includes determining one or more reuse parameters. The method further includes transmitting the one or more reuse parameters.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. 119

The present application for patent claims priority to ProvisionalApplication No. 62/218,992 filed on Sep. 15, 2015, and ProvisionalApplication No. 62/253,617 filed on Nov. 10, 2015, both entitled“SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REUSE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION RESOURCES INNEIGHBORING COMMUNICATION NETWORKS,” and assigned to the assigneehereof. Provisional Application Nos. 62/218,992 and 62/253,617 arehereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wirelesscommunications, and more particularly, to methods and apparatuses forreusing wireless communication resources in neighboring communicationnetworks.

BACKGROUND

In many telecommunication systems, communications networks are used toexchange messages among several interacting spatially-separated devices.Networks can be classified according to geographic scope, which couldbe, for example, a metropolitan area, a local area, or a personal area.Such networks can be designated respectively as a wide area network(WAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), local area network (LAN), orpersonal area network (PAN). Networks also differ according to theswitching/routing technique used to interconnect the various networknodes and devices (e.g., circuit switching vs. packet switching), thetype of physical media employed for transmission (e.g., wired vs.wireless), and the set of communication protocols used (e.g., Internetprotocol suite, SONET (Synchronous Optical Networking), Ethernet, etc.).

Wireless networks are often preferred when the network elements aremobile and thus have dynamic connectivity needs, or if the networkarchitecture is formed in an ad hoc, rather than fixed, topology.Wireless networks employ intangible physical media in an unguidedpropagation mode using electromagnetic waves in the radio, microwave,infrared, optical, etc. frequency bands. Wireless networksadvantageously facilitate user mobility and rapid field deployment whencompared to fixed wired networks.

The devices in a wireless network can transmit/receive informationbetween each other. Device transmissions can interfere with each other,and certain transmissions can selectively block other transmissions.Where many devices share a communication network, congestion andinefficient link usage can result. As such, systems, methods, andnon-transitory computer-readable media are needed for improvingcommunication efficiency in wireless networks.

SUMMARY

Various implementations of systems, methods and devices within the scopeof the appended claims each have several aspects, no single one of whichis solely responsible for the desirable attributes described herein.Without limiting the scope of the appended claims, some prominentfeatures are described herein.

Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter describedin this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and thedescription below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will becomeapparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. Note thatthe relative dimensions of the following figures may not be drawn toscale.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of managing reuseof a wireless medium. The method includes determining, at an accesspoint, whether to allow reuse of the wireless medium by one or morestations in a basic service set (BSS). The method further includestransmitting, upon determining to allow reuse, an indication that reuseof the wireless medium can be permitted for stations meeting a criteria.The method further includes determining one or more reuse parameters.The method further includes transmitting the one or more reuseparameters.

In various embodiments, the one or more reuse parameters can include aplurality of reuse parameters that are different for different stations.

In various embodiments, the method can further include selecting a reusemode comprising one or more of the following conditions either alone orin combination: stations can be permitted to reuse the wireless mediumwhen detecting an overlapping BSS (OBSS) transmission from atransmitting device that can have a received signal strength indication(RSSI) less than a first threshold, stations can be permitted to reusethe wireless medium when a destination device of the OBSS transmissioncan have an RSSI less than a second threshold, and stations can bepermitted to reuse the wireless medium when the transmitting deviceand/or intended receiving device can have an RSSI less than a dynamicthreshold that can be a function of one or more preamble parameters. Themethod can further include transmitting an indication of the selectedreuse mode.

In various embodiments, the first threshold and the second threshold canbe the same. In various embodiments, the dynamic threshold can be afunction of a transmit power of the transmitting device and/or of anintended receiver. In various embodiments, the one or more reuseparameters can include one or more of: a transmit power, an energydetection (ED) level, a transmitter received signal strength indication(RSSI) threshold, an intended receiver RSSI threshold, a RSSI thresholdfunction based on one or more preamble parameters, and an indication ofan amount of interference tolerated at nodes as a function of one ormore parameters.

In various embodiments, determining whether to allow reuse of thewireless medium can be based on a BSS distance of an access point and/ora BSS distance of the one or more stations. In various embodiments, themethod can further include determining to allow reuse of the wirelessmedium and using enhanced request-to-send and/or enhanced clear-to-sendtransmissions. In various embodiments, the criteria can define that allstations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse the wireless medium.

In various embodiments, the criteria can define that a subset ofstations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse the wireless medium. Invarious embodiments, the subset of stations can be based on their BSSdistance. In various embodiments, the access point can have multiple BSSidentifiers, the method further comprising signaling one or more colorsto which the one or more stations should defer, or selecting the samecolor as a neighboring access point.

In various embodiments, the one or more reuse parameters comprise one ormore of a transmit power, an energy detection (ED) level, a transmitterreceived signal strength indication (RSSI) threshold, an intendedreceiver RSSI threshold, an RSSI threshold function based on one or moreparameters, the one or more parameters including atransmit power orother parameters included in a preamble of received packets, and anindication of an amount of interference tolerated at nodes as a functionof one or more parameters.

In various embodiments, determining whether to allow reuse of thewireless medium is based on a BSS distance of an access point and/or aBSS distance of the one or more stations. In various embodiments, thecriteria defines that all stations in the BSS are allowed to reuse thewireless medium, or a subset of stations in the BSS are allowed to reusethe wireless medium, wherein the subset of stations are based on the BSSdistance of each of the one or more stations. In various embodiments,the access point has multiple BSS identifiers, the method furthercomprising signaling one or more BSS identifiers to which the one ormore stations should defer, or choosing all the BSS identifiers to sharethe same color.

Another aspect provides an apparatus configured to manage reuse of awireless medium. The apparatus includes a processor configured todetermine whether to allow reuse of the wireless medium by one or morestations in a basic service set (BSS). The processor is furtherconfigured to determine one or more reuse parameters. The apparatusfurther includes a transmitter configured to transmit, upon determiningto allow reuse, an indication that reuse of the wireless medium can bepermitted for stations meeting a criteria. The transmitter is furtherconfigured to transmit the one or more reuse parameters.

In various embodiments, the one or more reuse parameters can include aplurality of reuse parameters that are different for different stations.

In various embodiments, the processor can be further configured toselect a reuse mode comprising one or more of the following conditionseither alone or in combination: stations can be permitted to reuse thewireless medium when detecting an overlapping BSS (OBSS) transmissionfrom a transmitting device that can have a received signal strengthindication (RSSI) less than a first threshold, stations can be permittedto reuse the wireless medium when a destination device of the OBSStransmission can have an RSSI less than a second threshold, and stationscan be permitted to reuse the wireless medium when the transmittingdevice and/or intended receiving device can have an RSSI less than adynamic threshold that can be a function of one or more preambleparameters. The transmitter can be further configured to transmit anindication of the selected reuse mode.

In various embodiments, the first threshold and the second threshold canbe the same. In various embodiments, the dynamic threshold can be afunction of a transmit power of the transmitting device and/or of anintended receiver. In various embodiments, the one or more reuseparameters can include one or more of: a transmit power, an energydetection (ED) level, a transmitter received signal strength indication(RSSI) threshold, an intended receiver RSSI threshold, a RSSI thresholdfunction based on one or more preamble parameters, and an indication ofan amount of interference tolerated at nodes as a function of one ormore parameters.

In various embodiments, the processor can be configured to determinewhether to allow reuse of the wireless medium based on a BSS distance ofan access point and/or a BSS distance of the one or more stations. Invarious embodiments, the processor can be further configured todetermine to allow reuse of the wireless medium and to use enhancedrequest-to-send and/or enhanced clear-to-send transmissions. In variousembodiments, the criteria can define that all stations in the BSS can beallowed to reuse the wireless medium.

In various embodiments, the criteria can define that a subset ofstations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse the wireless medium. Invarious embodiments, the subset of stations can be based on their BSSdistance. In various embodiments, the apparatus can include an accesspoint having multiple BSS identifiers, and wherein the processor can befurther configured to signal one or more colors to which the one or morestations should defer, or to select the same color as a neighboringaccess point.

Another aspect provides another apparatus for managing reuse of awireless medium. The apparatus includes means for determining whether toallow reuse of the wireless medium by one or more stations in a basicservice set (BSS). The apparatus further includes means fortransmitting, upon determining to allow reuse, an indication that reuseof the wireless medium can be permitted for stations meeting a criteria.The apparatus further includes means for determining one or more reuseparameters. The apparatus further includes means for transmitting theone or more reuse parameters.

In various embodiments, the one or more reuse parameters can include aplurality of reuse parameters that are different for different stations.

In various embodiments, the apparatus can further include means forselecting a reuse mode comprising one or more of the followingconditions either alone or in combination: stations can be permitted toreuse the wireless medium when detecting an overlapping BSS (OBSS)transmission from a transmitting device that can have a received signalstrength indication (RSSI) less than a first threshold, stations can bepermitted to reuse the wireless medium when a destination device of theOBSS transmission can have an RSSI less than a second threshold, andstations can be permitted to reuse the wireless medium when thetransmitting device and/or intended receiving device can have an RSSIless than a dynamic threshold that can be a function of one or morepreamble parameters. The apparatus can further include means fortransmitting an indication of the selected reuse mode.

In various embodiments, the first threshold and the second threshold canbe the same. In various embodiments, the dynamic threshold can be afunction of a transmit power of the transmitting device and/or of anintended receiver. In various embodiments, the one or more reuseparameters can include one or more of: a transmit power, an energydetection (ED) level, a transmitter received signal strength indication(RSSI) threshold, an intended receiver RSSI threshold, a RSSI thresholdfunction based on one or more preamble parameters, and an indication ofan amount of interference tolerated at nodes as a function of one ormore parameters.

In various embodiments, determining whether to allow reuse of thewireless medium can be based on a BSS distance of an access point and/ora BSS distance of the one or more stations. In various embodiments, theapparatus can further include means for determining to allow reuse ofthe wireless medium and using enhanced request-to-send and/or enhancedclear-to-send transmissions. In various embodiments, the criteria candefine that all stations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse the wirelessmedium.

In various embodiments, the criteria can define that a subset ofstations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse the wireless medium. Invarious embodiments, the subset of stations can be based on their BSSdistance. In various embodiments, the apparatus can include an accesspoint having multiple BSS identifiers, the apparatus further comprisingmeans for signaling one or more colors to which the one or more stationsshould defer, or selecting the same color as a neighboring access point.

Another aspect provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Themedium includes code that, when executed, causes an apparatus tocomprising code that, when executed, causes an apparatus to determinewhether to allow reuse of the wireless medium by one or more stations ina basic service set (BSS). The medium further includes code that, whenexecuted, causes the apparatus to transmit, upon determining to allowreuse, an indication that reuse of the wireless medium can be permittedfor stations meeting a criteria. The medium further includes code that,when executed, causes the apparatus to determine one or more reuseparameters. The medium further includes code that, when executed, causesthe apparatus to transmit the one or more reuse parameters.

In various embodiments, the one or more reuse parameters can include aplurality of reuse parameters that are different for different stations.

In various embodiments, the medium can further include code that, whenexecuted, causes the apparatus to select a reuse mode comprising one ormore of the following conditions either alone or in combination:stations can be permitted to reuse the wireless medium when detecting anoverlapping BSS (OBSS) transmission from a transmitting device that canhave a received signal strength indication (RSSI) less than a firstthreshold, stations can be permitted to reuse the wireless medium when adestination device of the OBSS transmission can have an RSSI less than asecond threshold, and stations can be permitted to reuse the wirelessmedium when the transmitting device and/or intended receiving device canhave an RSSI less than a dynamic threshold that can be a function of oneor more preamble parameters. The medium can further include code that,when executed, causes the apparatus to transmit an indication of theselected reuse mode.

In various embodiments, the first threshold and the second threshold canbe the same. In various embodiments, the dynamic threshold can be afunction of a transmit power of the transmitting device and/or of anintended receiver. In various embodiments, the one or more reuseparameters can include one or more of: a transmit power, an energydetection (ED) level, a transmitter received signal strength indication(RSSI) threshold, an intended receiver RSSI threshold, a RSSI thresholdfunction based on one or more preamble parameters, and an indication ofan amount of interference tolerated at nodes as a function of one ormore parameters.

In various embodiments, the medium can further include code that, whenexecuted, causes the apparatus to determine whether to allow reuse ofthe wireless medium based on a BSS distance of an access point and/or aBSS distance of the one or more stations. In various embodiments, themedium can further include code that, when executed, causes theapparatus to determine to allow reuse of the wireless medium and to useenhanced request-to-send and/or enhanced clear-to-send transmissions. Invarious embodiments, the criteria can define that all stations in theBSS can be allowed to reuse the wireless medium.

In various embodiments, the criteria can define that a subset ofstations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse the wireless medium. Invarious embodiments, the subset of stations can be based on their BSSdistance. In various embodiments, the apparatus can include an accesspoint having multiple BSS identifiers, further comprising code that,when executed, causes the apparatus to signal one or more colors towhich the one or more stations should defer, or to select the same coloras a neighboring access point.

Another aspect provides another method of reusing a wireless medium. Themethod includes detecting, at a station, an overlapping basic serviceset (OBSS) transmission. The method further includes determining whetherto reuse the wireless medium. The method further includes determiningone or more reuse parameters. The method further includes selectivelytransmitting a message based on said determining whether to reuse thewireless medium and the one or more reuse parameters.

In various embodiments, the method can further include selecting a reusemode comprising one or more of the following conditions either alone orin combination: stations can be permitted to reuse the wireless mediumwhen detecting the OBSS transmission from a transmitting device that canhave a received signal strength indication (RSSI) less than a firstthreshold, stations can be permitted to reuse the wireless medium when adestination device of the OBSS transmission can have an RSSI less than asecond threshold, and stations can be permitted to reuse the wirelessmedium when the transmitting device can have an RSSI less than a dynamicthreshold that can be a function of one or more preamble parameters. Themethod further includes applying the selected reuse mode.

In various embodiments, the first threshold and the second threshold canbe the same. In various embodiments, the one or more reuse parameterscan include one or more of: a transmit power, an energy detection (ED)level, a transmitter received signal strength indication (RSSI)threshold, a receiver RSSI threshold, a RSSI threshold function based onone or more preamble parameters, and an indication of an amount ofinterference tolerated at nodes as a function of one or more parameters.In various embodiments, determining whether to reuse the wireless mediumcan be based on a BSS distance of an access point and/or a BSS distanceof the station. In various embodiments, the method can further includedetermining to reuse the wireless medium and using enhancedrequest-to-send and/or enhanced clear-to-send transmissions.

In various embodiments, the method can further include receiving anindication that reuse of the wireless medium can be permitted forstations meeting a criteria. In various embodiments, the criteria candefine that all stations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse the wirelessmedium. In various embodiments, the criteria can define that a subset ofstations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse the wireless medium.

In various embodiments, the subset of stations can be based on their BSSdistance. In various embodiments, the one or more parameters can bedefined in the OBSS transmission.

Another aspect provides another apparatus configured to reuse a wirelessmedium. The apparatus includes a processor configured to detect anoverlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission. The processor isfurther configured to determine whether to reuse the wireless medium.The processor is further configured to determine one or more reuseparameters. The apparatus further includes a transmitter configured toselectively transmit a message based on said determining whether toreuse the wireless medium and the one or more reuse parameters.

In various embodiments, the one or more reuse parameters can include aplurality of reuse parameters that are different for different stations.

In various embodiments, the processor can be further configured toselect a reuse mode comprising one or more of the following conditionseither alone or in combination: stations can be permitted to reuse thewireless medium when detecting the OBSS transmission from a transmittingdevice that can have a received signal strength indication (RSSI) lessthan a first threshold, stations can be permitted to reuse the wirelessmedium when a destination device of the OBSS transmission can have anRSSI less than a second threshold, and stations can be permitted toreuse the wireless medium when the transmitting device can have an RSSIless than a dynamic threshold that can be a function of one or morepreamble parameters. The processor can be further configured to applythe selected reuse mode.

In various embodiments, the first threshold and the second threshold canbe the same. In various embodiments, the one or more reuse parameterscan include one or more of: a transmit power, an energy detection (ED)level, a transmitter received signal strength indication (RSSI)threshold, a receiver RSSI threshold, a RSSI threshold function based onone or more preamble parameters, and an indication of an amount ofinterference tolerated at nodes as a function of one or more parameters.In various embodiments, the processor can be configured to determinewhether to reuse the wireless medium based on a BSS distance of anaccess point and/or a BSS distance of the station.

In various embodiments, the processor can be further configured todetermine to reuse the wireless medium and to use enhancedrequest-to-send and/or enhanced clear-to-send transmissions. In variousembodiments, the apparatus can further include a receiver configured toreceive an indication that reuse of the wireless medium can be permittedfor stations meeting a criteria. In various embodiments, the criteriacan define that all stations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse thewireless medium.

In various embodiments, the criteria can define that a subset ofstations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse the wireless medium. Invarious embodiments, the subset of stations can be based on their BSSdistance. In various embodiments, the one or more parameters can bedefined in the OBSS transmission.

Another aspect provides another apparatus for reusing a wireless medium.The apparatus includes means for detecting an overlapping basic serviceset (OBSS) transmission. The apparatus includes means for determiningwhether to reuse the wireless medium. The apparatus includes means fordetermining one or more reuse parameters. The apparatus includes meansfor selectively transmitting a message based on said determining whetherto reuse the wireless medium and the one or more reuse parameters.

In various embodiments, the one or more reuse parameters can include aplurality of reuse parameters that are different for different stations.

In various embodiments, the apparatus can further include means forselecting a reuse mode comprising one or more of the followingconditions either alone or in combination: stations can be permitted toreuse the wireless medium when detecting the OBSS transmission from atransmitting device that can have a received signal strength indication(RSSI) less than a first threshold, stations can be permitted to reusethe wireless medium when a destination device of the OBSS transmissioncan have an RSSI less than a second threshold, and stations can bepermitted to reuse the wireless medium when the transmitting device canhave an RSSI less than a dynamic threshold that can be a function of oneor more preamble parameters. The apparatus can further include means forapplying the selected reuse mode.

In various embodiments, the first threshold and the second threshold canbe the same. In various embodiments, the one or more reuse parameterscan include one or more of: a transmit power, an energy detection (ED)level, a transmitter received signal strength indication (RSSI)threshold, a receiver RSSI threshold, a RSSI threshold function based onone or more preamble parameters, and an indication of an amount ofinterference tolerated at nodes as a function of one or more parameters.In various embodiments, determining whether to reuse the wireless mediumcan be based on a BSS distance of an access point and/or a BSS distanceof the station.

In various embodiments, the apparatus can further include means fordetermining to reuse the wireless medium and to use enhancedrequest-to-send and/or enhanced clear-to-send transmissions. In variousembodiments, the apparatus can further include receiving an indicationthat reuse of the wireless medium can be permitted for stations meetinga criteria. In various embodiments, the criteria can define that allstations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse the wireless medium.

In various embodiments, the criteria can define that a subset ofstations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse the wireless medium. Invarious embodiments, the subset of stations can be based on their BSSdistance. In various embodiments, the one or more parameters can bedefined in the OBSS transmission.

Another aspect provides another non-transitory computer-readable medium.The medium includes code that, when executed, causes an apparatus todetect an overlapping basic service set (OBSS) transmission. The mediumfurther includes code that, when executed, causes the apparatus todetermine whether to reuse the wireless medium. The medium furtherincludes code that, when executed, causes the apparatus to determine oneor more reuse parameters. The medium further includes code that, whenexecuted, causes the apparatus to selectively transmit a message basedon said determining whether to reuse the wireless medium and the one ormore reuse parameters.

In various embodiments, the one or more reuse parameters can include aplurality of reuse parameters that are different for different stations.

In various embodiments, the medium can further include code that, whenexecuted, causes the apparatus to select a reuse mode comprising one ormore of the following conditions either alone or in combination:stations can be permitted to reuse the wireless medium when detectingthe OBSS transmission from a transmitting device that can have areceived signal strength indication (RSSI) less than a first threshold,stations can be permitted to reuse the wireless medium when adestination device of the OBSS transmission can have an RSSI less than asecond threshold, and stations can be permitted to reuse the wirelessmedium when the transmitting device can have an RSSI less than a dynamicthreshold that can be a function of one or more preamble parameters. Themedium further includes code that, when executed, causes the apparatusto apply the selected reuse mode.

In various embodiments, the first threshold and the second threshold canbe the same. In various embodiments, the one or more reuse parameterscan include one or more of: a transmit power, an energy detection (ED)level, a transmitter received signal strength indication (RSSI)threshold, a receiver RSSI threshold, a RSSI threshold function based onone or more preamble parameters, and an indication of an amount ofinterference tolerated at nodes as a function of one or more parameters.In various embodiments, determining whether to reuse the wireless mediumcan be based on a BSS distance of an access point and/or a BSS distanceof the station.

In various embodiments, the medium can further include code that, whenexecuted, causes the apparatus to determine to reuse the wireless mediumand to use enhanced request-to-send and/or enhanced clear-to-sendtransmissions. In various embodiments, the medium can further includecode that, when executed, causes the apparatus to receive an indicationthat reuse of the wireless medium can be permitted for stations meetinga criteria. In various embodiments, the criteria can define that allstations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse the wireless medium.

In various embodiments, the criteria can define that a subset ofstations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse the wireless medium. Invarious embodiments, the subset of stations can be based on their BSSdistance. In various embodiments, the one or more parameters can bedefined in the OBSS transmission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system inwhich aspects of the present disclosure can be employed.

FIG. 2 illustrates various components that can be utilized in a wirelessdevice that can be employed within the wireless communication system ofFIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary illustration of two access points and theassociated devices in each basic service set, in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for an exemplary method of reusing a wirelessmedium that can be employed within the wireless communication system ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart for an exemplary method of reusing a wirelessmedium that can be employed within the wireless communication system ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods aredescribed more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. The teachings disclosure can, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to any specificstructure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather,these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to thoseskilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein it will be appreciatedthat the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover any aspect of thenovel systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein, whetherimplemented independently of or combined with any other aspect of theinvention. For example, an apparatus can be implemented or a method canbe practiced using any number of the aspects set forth herein. Inaddition, the scope of the invention is intended to cover such anapparatus or method which is practiced using other structure,functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to, or otherthan, the various aspects of the invention set forth herein. It shouldbe understood that any aspect disclosed herein can be embodied by one ormore elements of a claim.

Although particular aspects are described herein, many variations andpermutations of these aspects fall within the scope of the disclosure.Although some benefits and advantages of the preferred aspects arementioned, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited toparticular benefits, uses, or objectives. Rather, aspects of thedisclosure are intended to be broadly applicable to different wirelesstechnologies, system configurations, networks, and transmissionprotocols, some of which are illustrated by way of example in thefigures and in the following description of the preferred aspects. Thedetailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of thedisclosure rather than limiting, the scope of the disclosure beingdefined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Wireless network technologies can include various types of wirelesslocal area networks (WLANs). A WLAN can be used to interconnect nearbydevices together, employing widely used networking protocols. Thevarious aspects described herein can apply to any communicationstandard, such as Wi-Fi or, more generally, any member of the IEEE802.11 family of wireless protocols.

In some aspects, wireless signals can be transmitted according to ahigh-efficiency 802.11 protocol using orthogonal frequency-divisionmultiplexing (OFDM), direct-sequence spread spectrum (DSSS)communications, a combination of OFDM and DSSS communications, or otherschemes such as multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO).

In some implementations, a WLAN includes various devices that access thewireless network. For example, there can be two types of devices: accesspoints (“APs”) and clients (also referred to as stations, or “STAs”). Ingeneral, an AP serves as a hub or base station for the WLAN and an STAserves as a user of the WLAN. For example, a STA can be a laptopcomputer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, etc. Insome aspects, an STA connects to an AP via a Wi-Fi (e.g., IEEE 802.11protocol such as 802.11ax) compliant wireless link to obtain generalconnectivity to the Internet or to other wide area networks (WAN). Insome implementations an STA can also be used as an AP.

The techniques described herein can be used for various broadbandwireless communication systems, including communication systems that arebased on an orthogonal multiplexing scheme, such as Orthogonal FrequencyDivision Multiple Access (OFDMA). An OFDMA system utilizes orthogonalfrequency division multiplexing (OFDM), which is a modulation techniquethat partitions the overall system bandwidth into multiple orthogonalsub-carriers. These sub-carriers can also be called tones, bins, etc.

The teachings herein can be incorporated into (e.g., implemented withinor performed by) a variety of wired or wireless apparatuses (e.g.,nodes). In some aspects, a wireless node implemented in accordance withthe teachings herein can comprise an access point or an access terminal.

An access point (“AP”) can comprise, be implemented as, or known as aNodeB, Radio Network Controller (“RNC”), eNodeB, Base Station Controller(“BSC”), Base Transceiver Station (“BTS”), Base Station (“BS”),Transceiver Function (“TF”), Radio Router, Radio Transceiver, BasicService Set (“BSS”), Extended Service Set (“ESS”), Radio Base Station(“RBS”), or some other terminology.

A station (“STA”) can also comprise, be implemented as, or known as auser terminal, an access terminal (“AT”), a subscriber station, asubscriber unit, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal,a user agent, a user device, user equipment, or some other terminology.In some implementations an access terminal can comprise a cellulartelephone, a cordless telephone, a Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”)phone, a wireless local loop (“WLL”) station, a personal digitalassistant (“PDA”), a handheld device having wireless connectioncapability, or some other suitable processing device connected to awireless modem. Accordingly, one or more aspects taught herein can beincorporated into a phone (e.g., a cellular phone or smart phone), acomputer (e.g., a laptop), a portable communication device, a headset, aportable computing device (e.g., a personal data assistant), anentertainment device (e.g., a music or video device, or a satelliteradio), a gaming device or system, a global positioning system device,or any other suitable device that is configured to communicate via awireless medium.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 100 inwhich aspects of the present disclosure can be employed. The wirelesscommunication system 100 can operate pursuant to an IEEE 802.11 wirelessstandard such as, for example, the 802.11ax standard. The wirelesscommunication system 100 can include an AP 104, which communicates withSTAs 106A-D (referred to herein as “STA 106” or “STAs 106”).

A variety of processes and methods can be used for transmissions in thewireless communication system 100 between the AP 104 and the STAs 106.For example, in some aspects signals can be transmitted and receivedbetween the AP 104 and the STAs 106 in accordance with OFDMA techniques.In accordance with these aspects, the wireless communication system 100can be referred to as an OFDMA system.

A communication link that facilitates transmission from the AP 104 toone or more of the STAs 106 can be referred to as a downlink (DL) 108,and a communication link that facilitates transmission from one or moreof the STAs 106 to the AP 104 can be referred to as an uplink (UL) 110.Alternatively, a downlink 108 can be referred to as a forward link or aforward channel, and an uplink 110 can be referred to as a reverse linkor a reverse channel.

The AP 104 can provide wireless communication coverage in a basicservice area (BSA) 102. The AP 104 along with the associated STAs 106that use the AP 104 for communication can be referred to as a basicservice set (BSS). Associated STAs 106 may refer to one or moreassociated station (e.g., STA 106A) that has performed an associationprocedure with the AP 104. It should be noted that the wirelesscommunication system 100 may not have a central AP 104, and mayalternatively function as a peer-to-peer network between/among the STAs106. Accordingly, the functions of the AP 104 described herein canadditionally or alternatively be performed by one or more of the STAs106.

FIG. 2 illustrates various components that can be utilized in a wirelessdevice 202 that can be employed within the wireless communication system100 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment. The wireless device 202is an example of a device that can be configured to implement thevarious methods described herein. In some aspects, the wireless device202 can comprise the AP 104 or one of the STAs 106.

As illustrated, the wireless device 202 can include a processor 204,which may be configured to control the operation of the wireless device202. The processor 204 can also be referred to as a central processingunit (CPU). As illustrated, the wireless device 202 can also include amemory 206, which can include one or both of read-only memory (ROM) andrandom access memory (RAM). In some aspects, the memory 206 stores orprovides instructions or data that may be utilized by the processor 204.In one aspect, a portion of the memory 206 can also include non-volatilerandom access memory (NVRAM). The processor 204 can be configured toperform logical and arithmetic operations based on program instructionsstored within the memory 206. In various embodiments, the instructionsin the memory 206 can be executable (e.g., software) to implement themethods described herein.

In various aspects, the processor 204 can comprise, or be a componentof, a processing system implemented with one or more processors. The oneor more processors can be implemented with any combination ofgeneral-purpose microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signalprocessors (DSPs), field programmable gate array (FPGAs), programmablelogic devices (PLDs), controllers, state machines, gated logic, discretehardware components, dedicated hardware finite state machines, or anyother suitable entities that can perform calculations or othermanipulations of information.

The processing system can also include machine-readable media forstoring software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean any typeof instructions, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware,microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise. Instructions caninclude code (e.g., in source code format, binary code format,executable code format, or any other suitable format of code). Invarious embodiments, the instructions, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the processing system to perform the various functionsdescribed herein.

The wireless device 202 can also include a housing 208, which caninclude a transmitter 210 and a receiver 212 to allow transmission andreception of data between the wireless device 202 and a remote location.In some aspects, the transmitter 210 and the receiver 212 can becombined into a transceiver 214. In various aspects, an antenna 216 canbe attached to the housing 208 and electrically coupled to thetransceiver 214. The wireless device 202 can also include (not shown)multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, multiple transceivers, and/ormultiple antennas, which can be utilized during MIMO communications, forexample.

As illustrated, the wireless device 202 can also include a signaldetector 218 that can be used to detect and quantify the level ofsignals received by the transceiver 214. In some aspects, the signaldetector 218 can detect the received signals as total energy, energy persubcarrier per symbol, power spectral density and other signals. Asillustrated, the wireless device 202 can also include a digital signalprocessor (DSP) 220 for use in processing signals. In various aspects,the DSP 220 can be configured to generate a data unit for transmission.In some aspects, the generated data unit can comprise a physical layerdata unit (PPDU), which may also be referred to as a “packet,” a“message” or a “frame.”

As illustrated, the wireless device 202 can further comprise a userinterface 222. In some aspects, the user interface 222 can comprise akeypad, a microphone, a speaker, or a display. In accordance withvarious embodiments, the user interface 222 can include any element orcomponent that conveys information to a user of the wireless device 202or receives input from the user.

As illustrated, the various components of the wireless device 202 can becoupled together by a system bus 226. The system bus 226 can include adata bus, for example, as well as a power bus, a control signal bus, ora status signal bus in addition to the data bus. In various aspects, thecomponents of the wireless device 202 can be coupled together, or acceptor provide inputs to each, other using some other mechanism.

Although a number of separate components are illustrated in FIG. 2, oneor more of the components can be combined or commonly implemented. Forexample, the processor 204 can be used to implement not only thefunctionality described above with respect to the processor 204, butalso to implement the functionality described above with respect to thesignal detector 218 or the DSP 220. Further, each of the componentsillustrated in FIG. 2 can be implemented using a plurality of separateelements.

As discussed above, the wireless device 202 can comprise an AP 104 or anSTA 106, and can be used to transmit and/or receive data. In someaspects, the data units exchanged between the AP 104 and the STAs 106can include data frames, control frames, and/or management frames. Dataframes can be used for transmitting data from an AP 104 or a STA 106 toother APs 104 or STAs 106. Control frames can be used together with dataframes for performing various operations or for reliably delivering data(e.g., acknowledging receipt of data, polling of APs, area-clearingoperations, channel acquisition, carrier-sensing maintenance functions,etc.). In some aspects, management frames can be used for varioussupervisory functions (e.g., for joining and departing from wirelessnetworks, etc.).

Conditions for Reuse of Wireless Resources Between Overlapping BasicService Sets

Various mechanisms for wireless resource reuse are described herein. Insome embodiments, a wireless device (such as the STA 106A or the AP 104of FIG. 1) that has data for transmission can monitor the wirelessmedium in order to determine whether the medium is free fortransmission. If the wireless device detects a competing transmission,the wireless device can still reuse the wireless medium (by proceedingwith its own transmission without deferral to the detected packettransmission) under one or more conditions discussed herein. Variousembodiments of wireless medium reuse are described in U.S. applicationSer. No. 14/487,019, filed Sep. 15, 2014, Atty. Docket No. 135020; andU.S. application Ser. No. 14/265,112, filed Apr. 29, 2014, Atty. DocketNo. 132682, the entirety of each of which is hereby incorporated byreference.

For example, the wireless device can determine whether the detectedtransmission is an inter-basic service set (BSS) or intra-BSStransmission based on a BSS color indication (for example, in a signalfield such as SIG A) or based on a media access control (MAC) address ina MAC header of the transmission. If the detected transmission is aninter-BSS frame, and various other conditions discussed herein are met,the wireless device can apply an overlapping BSS (OBSS) packet detection(PD) level that is greater than a minimum receive sensitivity level.Accordingly, when the proper conditions are met, the wireless device canrefrain from deferring to OBSS packets by applying a higher thresholdduring clear channel assessment (CCA). Various embodiments of an APchanging CCA thresholds are described in U.S. application Ser. No.14/326,312, filed Jul. 8, 2014, Atty. Docket No. 133804, the entirety ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

As discussed herein, the AP 104 (FIG. 1) can provide the conditionsunder which the OBSS PD level should be applied (referred to herein as“OBSS conditions”), and the OBSS PD level itself, to the STAs 106A-106D.For example, the AP 104 can provide the OBSS conditions in a messagesuch as a beacon, a broadcast information element (IE), or any otherwireless communication. Various examples of such conditions arediscussed with respect to FIG. 3.

Adjusting Deferral Parameters

FIG. 3 is an exemplary illustration of two access points and theassociated devices in each respective BSS, in accordance with anembodiment. As noted above, the BSS may refer to an AP 104 along withthe associated STAs 106 that use the AP 104 for communication. Forexample, as illustrated, the AP 304A may have a BSS 302A, whichcomprises associated STAs 306A and 306C. In some aspects, the phrase“BSS” may refer to the area which the AP 304A services. Althoughillustrated here as a circle, this coverage of the BSS 302A is merelyillustrative.

The AP 304A may be associated with any number of different STAs. Forexample, the AP 304A may be associated with more or less than the twoillustrated STAs 306A, 306C. Within some geographical proximity to theAP 304A, there may also be other APs, such as AP 304B. The AP 304B mayhave a BSS, such as BSS 302B, which may comprise one or more STAs, suchas STA 306B. Although the BSS of the AP 304A and the AP 304B are notillustrated as overlapping, in some aspects, the BSS 302A from one AP304A may overlap with the BSS 302B from another AP 304B, or the BSA (notillustrated) of one AP 304A may overlap with the BSA of another AP 304B.In dense deployments, there may be a large number of overlapping BSSesfrom various APs (also referred to herein as a plurality of wirelesscommunication networks). Each of the BSSes may be based on the sameprotocols, such as a particular IEEE 802.11 protocol, or may be based ondifferent protocols. Similarly, these BSSes may use the same portion ofthe spectrum, such as using the same channel (e.g., overlapping orpartially overlapping), or may use adjacent or different channels. Insome aspects, a channel may comprise a bandwidth, and the bandwidth maybe regarded as comprising more than one sub-band (e.g., 5 MHz, 10 MHz,20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, etc.). In accordance with these aspects, OBSSesmay be regarded as utilizing overlapping or partially overlappingbandwidths or sub-bands of a channel, or adjacent or different sub-bandsof a channel.

In some aspects, deferral rules may be used by devices within a BSS todetermine when to defer to other traffic on the wireless medium, when totransmit on the wireless medium, how long to wait before attempting toaccess the wireless medium, etc. In some aspects, a BSS may achievebetter performance if the devices in that BSS have an easier timeaccessing the wireless medium, such as, for example, when the deferralrules for the BSS have been loosened or made less stringent.

Loosening deferral rules may take multiple forms. For example, in someaspects, clear channel assessment thresholds may be increased. Inaccordance with these aspects, before a device, such as a STA 106 or anAP 104, transmits on the wireless medium, that device may perform aclear channel assessment (CCA). This CCA may include, for example,determining an average amount of energy that is present on a particularportion of the channel during a particular time or time frame. Thedevice may compare the detected amount of energy to a threshold, inorder to determine whether or not the wireless medium is in use. Forexample, if there is a large amount of energy in the spectrum at aparticular time, the device may determine that this portion of thespectrum is in use, and may choose not to transmit on this portion ofthe spectrum at that time. Accordingly, this threshold may be altered,in order to allow devices to transmit even when larger amounts of energyare present on the wireless medium, or to forbid devices fromtransmitting when lower amounts of energy are present. Accordingly,adjusting this threshold, depending upon the direction of theadjustment, may be referred to herein as “loosening” or “tightening” thedeferral rules for a BSS, as it may make devices either more or lesslikely to defer to the traffic present on the wireless medium.

In another aspect, deferral rules for a BSS may be loosened to allowdevices to transmit on top of packets which they detect when thosepackets are from an overlapping basic service set (OBSS). For example,from the point of view of a device in the BSS 302A such as STA 306A, theBSS 302B may be thought of as an OBSS. Specifically, for example, STA306A may be close enough to STA 306B or AP 304B that each of the twodevices may be able to receive communications from the other (e.g., whenBSS 302A and BSS 302B are using one or more of the same channels andtechnologies). However, a BSS may adjust its rules, in accordance withone aspect, such that when the STA 306A detects a transmission, anddetects that this transmission is from the STA 306B, the AP 304B, oranother device in the OBSS (e.g., BSS 302B), the STA 306A may still usethe wireless medium, as long as a detected energy is below a certainthreshold. Accordingly, making the adjustment above to allow the STA306A to use the medium more often despite other medium use may also bereferred to herein as loosening a deferral rule. In some aspects,loosening of deferral rules may be done for an entire BSS. For example,the AP 304A may transmit a message to each device within the BSS 302A,informing those devices of the deferral rules for the BSS 302A. In someaspects, the AP 304A may additionally or alternatively broadcast amessage in the beacon frame, or using a management frame. In someaspects, the loosening of the deferral rules may only apply to certaindevices, for example if those devices have a BSS distance that is abovea threshold.

In some aspects, a BSS may achieve better performance with lessstringent deferral rules when, for example, there are fewer nearbyOBSSes. For example, deferral rules may be loosened when there are no“contiguous” BSSes on the same channel. For example, if a BSS is farenough away from neighboring (e.g., within a specified geographicaldistance) OBSSes on the same channel, deferral rules may be loosened.Similarly, there may be situations in which a BSS may achieve betterperformance with more stringent deferral rules. For example, when alarge number of BSSes overlap, use the same channel, and carry a largeamount of traffic, it may be beneficial to use more stringent (e.g.,“tightened”) deferral rules in order to reduce packet collisions whichmay render packets un-receivable. For example, tightening deferral rulesmay include decreasing one or more CCA thresholds (also referred toherein as a clear channel assessment threshold). In some aspects, an APmay be configured to switch to a primary channel that is not alignedwith most of its neighbors when it determines that neighboring BSSes areusing the same, or overlapping, channels. Although this switchingprocess may not be considered a deferral rule, it may be useful in lieuof, or in addition to, making deferral rules more or less stringent.Accordingly, methods and apparatus for enabling a BSS to adjust thestringency of its deferral rules or switching channels based on theproximity of OBSSes or how active or inactive the OBSSes are described.In some aspects, there may be one or more neighboring OBSSes, which mayalso be referred to herein as a plurality of neighboring wirelesscommunication networks.

Three Reuse Modes

In various embodiments, the AP 304A can be configured to indicate atleast one of three example reuse modes in which the STA 306A candetermine whether to defer to OBSS transmissions. In a first mode, theSTA 306A can be configured to defer to a transmission from STA 306B whena received signal strength indication (RSSI) in the preamble of thetransmission from STA 306B is greater than or equal to a threshold(Thresh_OBSS). Accordingly, in the first reuse mode, the STA 306A can beconfigured to reuse the wireless medium when the RSSI of thetransmission from STA 306B is less than Thresh_OBSS.

In the second reuse mode, as in the first reuse mode, the STA 306A canbe configured to defer to a transmission from STA 306B when a receivedsignal strength indication (RSSI) in the preamble of the transmissionfrom STA 306B is greater than or equal to Thresh_OBSS. Moreover, the STA306A can be configured to defer to the transmission from STA 306B basedon an RSSI associated with the intended receiver of the transmission.For example, the STA 306A can monitor transmissions from other devicesand can keep a record of observed RSSI from each device. Thus, in anembodiment where the STA 306B transmits a packet to the AP 304B, the STA306A can further determine whether to defer to the transmission if thepreviously observed RSSI of the AP 304B is greater than or equal to athreshold (Thresh_OBSS_RX). In some embodiments, Thresh_OBSS can be thesame as, or equal to, Thresh_OBSS_RX. STA 306A can also get the RSSI ofthe intended receiver of packet, in this case AP 304B, if AP 304B sendsa clear to send (CTS). Various embodiments of deferral according to thesecond reuse mode are described in U.S. application Ser. No. 14/268,829,filed May 2, 2014, Atty. Docket No. 141289U1; U.S. application Ser. No.14/268,855, filed May 2, 2014, Atty. Docket No. 141289U2; and U.S.application Ser. No. 14/268,830, filed May 2, 2014, Atty. Docket No.141289U3; the entirety of each of which is hereby incorporated byreference (collectively referred to herein as “References 141289”).Although References 141289 discuss looking at the RSSI from the receiverof the intended packet when deciding whether to reuse the wirelessmedium during the packet transmission itself, various embodiments of thesecond reuse mode provided herein are not restricted to reuse only forthe length of the packet.

In the third reuse mode, in various embodiments, the STA 306A can beconfigured to defer to a transmission from STA 306B based on theconditions of the first reuse mode and/or the second reuse mode.Additionally, or alternatively, the STA 306A can be configured toselectively defer or reuse the wireless medium based on additionalrequirements inside a preamble, an enhanced request-to-send (eRTS), oran enhanced clear-to-send (eCTS). In other words, Thresh_OBSS can be afunction of one or more preamble parameters (Thresh_OBSS(pp)). Forexample, in embodiments where a modulation coding scheme (MCS) isdefined in the preamble, Thresh_OBSS can be a function of the MCS. Invarious embodiments, the function can be preset or defined by the AP304A. In some embodiments, the preamble can state how much interferenceis tolerated, and the Thresh_OBSS can be computed from that information.In some embodiments, the transmitter may lower its power in order tomeet the interference requirement. Various embodiments of deferralaccording to the third reuse mode are described in References 141289.Various embodiments of eRTS and eCTS, which can also be referred to asOBSS request to send (RTS) and OBSS CTS in some embodiments, aredescribed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/052,402, filed Sep. 18,2014, Atty. Docket No. 146857P1; and U.S. Provisional Application No.62/157,898, filed May 6, 2015, Atty. Docket No. 153408P1, the entiretyof each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Controlling Reuse Enablement—All STAs

In one embodiment, the AP 304A can allow wireless medium reuse for allSTAs in the BSS 302A. Thus, the AP 304A can signal reuse to all STAs. Insome embodiments, only one of the three reuse modes discussed herein isavailable. In embodiments where more than one reuse mode is available,the AP 304A can signal which reuse mode the STA 306A should apply. TheAP 304A can further signal all relevant thresholds to the selected reusemode. For example, the AP 304A can signal the energy detection (ED)level, OBSS_Thresh, OBSS_Thresh_RX (when different from OBSS_Thresh),OBSS_Thresh(pp) (when the thresholds for OBSS packets are a function ofparameters in the preamble, eRTS, and/or eCTS, etc.), an indication ofan amount of interference tolerated at nodes as a function of one ormore parameters (such as MCS), and so on.

In an embodiment, APs can selectively allow or disallow reuse of thewireless medium based on a “BSS distance.” The BSS distance can be ametric, such as a ratio, which conveys information about the relativelydistance of the STAs in the BSS as compared to the distance toneighboring BSSes which operate on the same channel as the BSS. Forexample, this distance may be a ratio which conveys information aboutthe relative distance of STA 306A and STA 306C, compared to the distancefrom AP 304A to AP 304B.

There may be several possible ways of calculating the “distance” betweentwo BSSes (also referred to herein as “BSS distance”), in order todetermine the proximity of OBSSes. The simplest method of doing this maybe to simply measure the distance between two APs, such as the APs 304Aand 304B for example. However, this measurement may be insufficient. Asillustrated in FIG. 3, the APs 304A and 304B may be some distance fromeach other, however, their BSSes may still be contiguous because of howclose STA 306A and STA 306B are to one another. Due to the proximity ofSTA 306A and STA 306B, transmissions to or from one of these devices(e.g., STA 306A) may be interrupted by transmission to or from the otherdevice (e.g., STA 306B). In some aspects, this proximity may beoverlooked if a BSS distance is measured solely by determining adistance between two APs. Accordingly, it may be desirable to have morenuanced and sophisticated measures of BSS distance. Accordingly, moresophisticated BSS distance measurement methods and apparatus may provideadditional information about how far apart the STAs in one BSS are fromthe STAs in another BSS.

For example, BSS distance may be determined in a number of ways. It willbe appreciated that each of these described options may be “mixed andmatched” to some extent. For example, certain measures may use averages,or may use values specific to a STA that is the furthest away from itsassociated AP. In some aspects, each of the described options may usereceived signal strength indication (RSSI) measurements instead ofdistance measurements. In accordance with these aspects, the describedformulas may need to be adjusted when RSSI is used instead of distance.Any of the measurement options described herein may be usedinterchangeably by changing the metric in a suitable manner.

A first option for calculating a BSS distance may be calculating thedistance from the AP in a BSS to the nearest OBSS AP that operates onthe same channel, divided by the distance from the AP in the BSS to thefurthest STA in the BSS. For example, in FIG. 3, the APs 304A and 304Bmay be 100 meters apart from one another, and the STA 306A of BSS 302Amay be the furthest STA from the AP 304A at a distance of 40 meters fromthe AP 304A. Accordingly, in one aspect the BSS distance measurement maybe 100 meters divided by 40 meters, or 2.5.

Another option for calculating a BSS distance may be to take an average(or expected value), for each STA in a BSS, of the distance from thatSTA to the nearest neighboring OBSS AP, divided by the distance from theSTA to the AP of its own BSS. For example, in FIG. 3, STA 306A may be 60meters from AP 304B, which may be the nearest neighboring OBSS AP to STA306A. STA 306A may also be 40 meters from AP 304A, which is the AP thatSTA 306A is associated with. Accordingly, the BSS distance, ascalculated for STA 306A, may be 60 meters divided by 40 meters, or 1.5.This ratio may be calculated for each AP in BSS 302A, and the ratios maythen be averaged to calculate a BSS distance for BSS 302A.

Another option for calculating a BSS distance may be to take thedistance between station “x” and its nearest neighboring OBSS AP,divided by the distance from station “x” to the BSS AP that it isassociated with, where station “x” is the STA in the BSS which isfurthest from the AP. For example, in FIG. 3, STA 306A may be thestation in BSS 302A which is furthest from AP 304A. As before, STA 306Amay be 60 meters from the nearest OBSS AP, which may be AP 304B, and STA306A may be 40 meters from the AP in its BSS, which is AP 304A. Thus,this ratio may be calculated by dividing 60 meters by 40 meters, whichis 1.5. In some aspects, this formula may be altered by, for example,calculating this ratio for some number of STAs in the BSS. For example,this may be calculated based upon the furthest 1, 2, 4, 5, or some othernumber of STAs. This ratio may also be calculated for each STA, and thelowest ratio in the BSS may be used, or an average of the lowest 2, 3,4, 5 or some other number of BSSes.

Another method of calculating BSS distance may be based, at least inpart, on the BSS distance to a particular OBSS. To get a final BSSdistance, these OBSS distances can be averaged, or the minimum value canbe taken. As another example, the BSS distance of BSS 302A may be basedon the distance between an AP 304A and its nearest neighboring OBSS APin the same channel, such as AP 304B. For example, a BSS distance may becalculated based on the distance from an AP to its nearest neighboringsame-channel OBSS AP, divided by the mean distance between the AP andall STAs in that AP's BSS. For example, AP 304A may be 100 meters fromAP 304B. STA 306A and 306C may be 40 and 20 meters from AP 304A,respectively. If these two STAs are the only STAs in BSS 302A, the meandistance between AP 304A and STAs in BSS 302A may be 30 meters. Thus,this BSS distance may be determined to be 100 meters divided by 30meters, or 3.33. In some aspects, the denominator of this BSS distancecalculation, instead of the mean distance between the AP and all STAs,may be, for example, the distance to the furthest-away STA in the BSS,the median distance between the AP and a STA in the BSS, or anothermetric. In some aspects, a number of different BSS distances may becalculated in this manner, for each of a number of different neighboringaccess points. As discussed, a “final” BSS distance may be determined byaveraging these BSS distances for each OBSS, or the minimum BSS distancevalue may be used.

In some aspects, the distance between an AP and a STA, or an AP andanother AP, may be determined or approximated using RSSI values. RSSImay be a measurement of the power present in a received radio signal,and, in some aspects, a distance between two wireless devices may beinferred based upon this metric. For example, a received signal strengthmay be compared to a transmitter signal strength of that device (whichmay be known), in order to estimate a distance to a device based on theRSSI. This comparison may be performed by the AP 304A, for example.Further, the RSSI value itself may be used directly in the abovecalculations, provided that the calculations are modified in order toaccommodate the use of an RSSI value. For example, the first option forcalculating distance may be modified to use an RSSI value by calculatingBSS distance as the RSSI (from the AP in the BSS) to the farthest STA inthe BSS, divided by the RSSI (from the AP in the BSS) to the nearestOBSS AP on the same channel. When using an RSSI value rather than adistance, it may be advantageous to switch the numerator and thedenominator from the distance-based ratios above. This may be truebecause an RSSI may be inversely-related to a distance between twowireless devices (e.g., the further a STA is from an associated AP, thelower the receiver strength). Accordingly, it may be beneficial toswitch the numerator and denominator when using RSSI values rather thandistances. In some aspects, a linear value of RSSI may be assumed.

Various other embodiments of determining the BSS distance are describedin U.S. application Ser. No. 14/852,395, filed Sep. 11, 2015, Atty.Docket No. QTELE.160A/147141U1, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated by reference. In some embodiments, the BSS distance of theAP 304A or 304B can be used. In other embodiments, the BSS distance ofthe STAs can be used (for example, where they report their BSS distanceto the AP 304A).

In some embodiments, the AP 304A can be configured to reuse the wirelessmedium. In such embodiments, the AP 304A can use eRTS/eCTS forhigh-efficiency (HE) STAs (such as STAs compliant with 802.11ax). Inembodiments where eRTS/eCTS transmissions allow other devices to reusethe wireless medium during those transmissions, the devices can beconfigured to reuse the wireless medium when the RSSI is below athreshold.

Controlling Reuse Enablement—Some STAs

In one embodiment, the AP 304A can allow wireless medium reuse for some(but not all) STAs in the BSS 302A. Thus, the AP 304A can signal reuseenablement to a subset of STAs. For example, the AP 304A can signal aBSS distance threshold to all STAs, and all STAs who have a BSS distanceless than the BSS distance threshold can reuse the wireless mediumduring OBSS transmissions where the OBSS conditions are met.

In one embodiment, each STA 306A and 306C can compute its own BSSdistance. In embodiments where more than one reuse mode is available,the AP 304A can signal which reuse mode the STA 306A should apply. TheAP 304A can further signal all relevant thresholds to the selected reusemode. For example, the AP 304A can signal the energy detection (ED)level, OBSS_Thresh, OBSS_Thresh_RX (when different from OBSS_Thresh),OBSS_Thresh(pp) (when the thresholds for OBSS packets are a function ofparameters in the preamble, eRTS, and/or eCTS, etc.), an indication ofan amount of interference tolerated at nodes as a function of one ormore parameters (such as MCS), and so on.

In some embodiments, the thresholds can be a function of each receivingSTAs BSS distance. In another embodiment, the thresholds can be afunction of each STAs distance to its own AP, for example via DynamicSensitivity Control (DSC). Accordingly, each STA can compute its ownthreshold based on the APs 304A indications. In some embodiments,transmissions that don't reuse the wireless medium can use legacyRTS/CTS, and transmissions that do reuse the wireless medium, can useeRTS/eCTS.

Controlling Reuse Enablement—STA Decides

In various embodiments, enablement of wireless medium reuse during OBSStransmissions can be determined by each STA. For example, the AP 304Acan refrain from signaling threshold. The STAs can be aware of thethresholds in advance, for example they can be stored in a memory. Asanother example, the thresholds can be provided in the OBSS transmissionitself. For example, the STA 306B can provide a minimum interferencelevel in its transmissions. The STA 306A can determine whether or not toreuse the wireless medium based on the provided minimum interferencelevel. It can also change its power in order to meet the interferencerequirements.

Examples

In various embodiments, a combination of the above embodiments can beemployed. For example, in one embodiment the AP 304A can decide whetherreuse is enabled based on its BSS distance and each STA can computeOBSS_Thresh based on information in the transmission. As anotherexample, the AP 304A can instruct each STA to use DSC, and each STA cancompute OBSS_Thresh based on its distance to the AP 304A. In otherembodiments, various other combinations of approaches described hereincan be employed.

In another example embodiment, the AP 304A can determine that thenearest AP 304B is farther than distance D. The AP 304A can allow reusefor all STAs in its BSS 302A, so long as STAs do not see any OBSS STAswithin distance D2. The AP 304A can send a broadcast IE to STAs 306A and306C, indicating the condition for reuse, and the OBSS_Thresh if theypass the requirement. Accordingly, for STAs that do not see any OBSSSTAs within distance D2, they can reuse the wireless medium based onOBSS_Thresh provided by the AP.

In another example embodiment, the AP 304A can determine that theneighbor AP 304B is farther than distance D. The AP 304A can broadcast adistance D1 to the farthest STA 306C. The AP 304A can listen to neighborAP's 304B broadcasted distance to their farthest STA 306B. If AP 304Asees that AP's 304B farthest STA 306B is less than D2, and if D1 is lessthan D2, AP 304A can determine to allow reuse in its BSS 302A.Accordingly, AP 304A can send an IE indicating that STAs can reuse thewireless medium, and the OBSS_Thresh. In some embodiments, the AP 304Aand 304B can signal each other in order to determine a reuse agreement.

APs with Multiple Basic Service Set Identifiers (BSSIDs)/Co-Located APs

In various embodiments, AP 304A can have multiple BSSIDs. In oneembodiment, the AP 304A can signal to the BSS 302A which colors shouldbe deferred to. For example, the AP 304A can indicate all colors of APswithin a certain distance and/or RSSI. Various embodiments of suchdeferral described in U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/174,444, filedJun. 11, 2015, Atty. Docket No. 153972, the entirety of which is herebyincorporated by reference. In another embodiment, the AP 304A can selectthe same color as nearby APs (such as the AP 304B).

In some embodiments, the AP 304A can provide the color of an OBSS to bedeferred to. The colors of all the OBSSs to be deferred to can beincluded in a management frame. Subsequently, when the STA 306A receivesa packet, the STA 306A determines the color of the packet and determineswhether the color of the packet matches the color of the BSS 302A or oneof the colors the OBSSs to be deferred to. When the color of the packetmatches one of those colors, the STA 306A observes the packet.Otherwise, the STA 306A can choose to drop the packet.

In other embodiments, the AP 304A can assign the color of the BSS 302Aas the same color of a particular OBSS (e.g., the BSS 302B) to bedeferred to. The AP 304A can choose not to send any indications to theone or more stations of the BSS 302A, as the stations are configured toobserve packets of the color of the BSS 302A. As such, the stations ofthe BSS 302A can observe the packets from the BSS 302A and theparticular OBSS having the same color. Further, the AP 304A can furthernegotiate with the access points of the OBSSs to be deferred to assignthe same color to the BSS 302A and the OBSSs to be deferred to.Similarly, the AP 304A can choose not to send any indications to the oneor more stations of the BSS 302A, as the stations are configured toobserve packets having the color of the BSS 302A. As such, the stationsof the BSS 302A can observe the packets from the BSS 302A and the OBSSsto be deferred to.

Implementing Methods

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart 400 for an exemplary method of reusing awireless medium that can be employed within the wireless communicationsystem 100 of FIG. 1. The method can be implemented in whole or in partby the devices described herein, such as the wireless device 202 shownin FIG. 2. Although the illustrated method is described herein withreference to the wireless communication system 100 discussed above withrespect to FIGS. 1 and 3, a person having ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the illustrated method can be implemented by anotherdevice described herein, or any other suitable device. Although theillustrated method is described herein with reference to a particularorder, in various embodiments, blocks herein can be performed in adifferent order, or omitted, and additional blocks can be added.

First, at block 410, a wireless device determines whether to allow reuseof the wireless medium by one or more stations in a basic service set(BSS). For example, the AP 304A can decide if reuse is possible based onits BSS distance. In one example, the STA 306A can compute OBSS_Threshbased on information in a packet received from STA 306B.

In another example, the AP 304A can determine that the nearest APs (suchas AP 304B) are farther than a distance D. The AP 304A can determine toallow reuse for all STAs in its BSS 302A so long as the STAs do not seeany OBSS STAs within a distance D2. The AP 304A can send a BroadcastInformation Element to the STAs 306A and 306C, telling them therequirement for reuse, and the OBSS_Thresh if they pass the requirement.In this example, for STAs that do not see any OBSS STAs (such as STA306B) within distance D2, they can reuse the wireless medium withOBSS_Thresh as provided by the AP 304A.

In another example, the AP 304A can determine that neighbor APs (such asAP 304B) are farther than distance D. The AP 304A can broadcast thedistance D1 to a farthest STA. The AP 304A can listen to neighbor APsbroadcasted distance to their farthest STA. If AP 304A sees thatneighboring AP have a farthest STA less than D2, and if D1 is less thanD2, the AP 304A can allow reuse in its BSS 302A. Accordingly, the AP304A can sent an Information Element telling STAs 306C and 306A thatthey can reuse the wireless medium and define OBSS_Thresh. In someembodiments, the AP 304A can also allow reuse based on an agreement withneighbor AP 304A.

Next, at block 420, the device transmits, upon determining to allowreuse, indication that reuse of the wireless medium is permitted forstations meeting a criteria. For example, the AP 304A can transmit abeacon or broadcast IE allowing reuse of the wireless medium for some orall stations within its BSS 302A.

Then, at block 430, the device can determine one or more reuseparameters. For example, the AP 304A can determine any of the reuseconditions discussed above with respect to FIG. 3. For example, the AP304A can determine that stations are allowed to reuse the wirelessmedium when Mode 1, Mode 2, Mode 3 (or any combination thereof) rulesare satisfied.

In various embodiments, a plurality of reuse parameters can be differentfor different stations. In other words, different reuse parameters canbe determined for, associated with, and communicated to differentstations on a per-station basis. As an example, the AP 304A candetermine a first set of reuse parameters for the STA 304B, and cancommunicate the first set of reuse parameters to the STA 304B (eitherdirectly or in a broadcast message). Similarly, the AP 304A candetermine a second set of reuse parameters for the STA 304A, and cancommunicate the second set of reuse parameters to the STA 304A (eitherdirectly or in a broadcast message). In some embodiments, differentreuse parameters can be determined for, associated with, andcommunicated to different groups of stations on a per-group basis. As anexample, the AP 304A can determine a first set of reuse parameters for afirst group of stations including the STA 304A and the STA 304B, and cancommunicate the first set of reuse parameters to the STA 304A and theSTA 304B (either directly or in a broadcast message). Similarly, the AP304A can determine a second set of reuse parameters for a second groupof stations (including one or more STAs not shown), and can communicatethe second set of reuse parameters to the second group of stations(either directly or in a broadcast message).

Thereafter, at block 440, the device can transmit the one or more reuseparameters. For example, the AP 304A can transmit a beacon or broadcastIE defining the reuse parameters to some or all stations within its BSS302A. In various embodiments, the reuse parameters can be transmittedwith the indication that reuse is permitted. In other embodiments, thereuse parameters can be transmitted separately.

In various embodiments, the method can further include selecting a reusemode comprising one or more of the following conditions either alone orin combination: stations can be permitted to reuse the wireless mediumwhen detecting an overlapping BSS (OBSS) transmission from atransmitting device that can have a received signal strength indication(RSSI) less than a first threshold, stations can be permitted to reusethe wireless medium when a destination device of the OBSS transmissioncan have an RSSI less than a second threshold, and stations can bepermitted to reuse the wireless medium when the transmitting deviceand/or intended receiving device can have an RSSI less than a dynamicthreshold that can be a function of one or more preamble parameters. Themethod can further include transmitting an indication of the selectedreuse mode.

In various embodiments, the first threshold and the second threshold canbe the same. In various embodiments, the dynamic threshold can be afunction of a transmit power of the transmitting device and/or of anintended receiver. In various embodiments, the one or more reuseparameters can include one or more of: a transmit power, an energydetection (ED) level, a transmitter received signal strength indication(RSSI) threshold, an intended receiver RSSI threshold, a RSSI thresholdfunction based on one or more preamble parameters, and an indication ofan amount of interference tolerated at nodes as a function of one ormore parameters.

In various embodiments, determining whether to allow reuse of thewireless medium can be based on a BSS distance of an access point and/ora BSS distance of the one or more stations. In various embodiments, themethod can further include determining to allow reuse of the wirelessmedium and using enhanced request-to-send and/or enhanced clear-to-sendtransmissions. In various embodiments, the criteria can define that allstations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse the wireless medium.

In various embodiments, the criteria can define that a subset ofstations in the BSS can be allowed to reuse the wireless medium. Invarious embodiments, the subset of stations can be based on their BSSdistance. In various embodiments, the access point can have multiple BSSidentifiers, the method further comprising signaling one or more colorsto which the one or more stations should defer, or selecting the samecolor as a neighboring access point.

In an embodiment, the method shown in FIG. 4 can be implemented in awireless device that can include a determining circuit and atransmitting circuit. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that awireless device can have more components than the simplified wirelessdevice described herein. The wireless device described herein includesonly those components useful for describing some prominent features ofimplementations within the scope of the claims.

The determining circuit can be configured to determine whether reuse isallowed, and/or determine the applicable reuse parameters. In someembodiments, the determining circuit can be configured to perform atleast one of blocks 410 and 430 of FIG. 4. The determining circuit caninclude one or more of the processor 204 (FIG. 2), the memory 206 (FIG.2), and the DSP 220 (FIG. 2). In some implementations, means fordetermining can include the determining circuit.

The transmitting circuit can be configured to transmit the indicationthat reuse is allowed and/or the reuse parameters. In some embodiments,the transmitting circuit can be configured to perform at least one ofblocks 420 and 440 of FIG. 4. The transmitting circuit can include oneor more of the transmitter 210 (FIG. 2), the antenna 216 (FIG. 2), andthe transceiver 214 (FIG. 2). In some implementations, means fortransmitting can include the transmitting circuit.

In various embodiments, the wireless device can include a selectingcircuit. The selecting circuit can be configured to select a reuse mode.The selecting circuit can include one or more of the processor 204 (FIG.2), the memory 206 (FIG. 2), and the DSP 220 (FIG. 2). In someimplementations, means for selecting can include the selecting circuit.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart 500 for an exemplary method of reusing awireless medium that can be employed within the wireless communicationsystem 100 of FIG. 1. The method can be implemented in whole or in partby the devices described herein, such as the wireless device 202 shownin FIG. 2. Although the illustrated method is described herein withreference to the wireless communication system 100 discussed above withrespect to FIGS. 1 and 3, a person having ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that the illustrated method can be implemented by anotherdevice described herein, or any other suitable device. Although theillustrated method is described herein with reference to a particularorder, in various embodiments, blocks herein can be performed in adifferent order, or omitted, and additional blocks can be added.

First, at block 510, a wireless device can detect an overlapping basicservice set (OBSS) transmission. For example, the STA 306A can detect anOBSS transmission from the STA 306B.

Then, at block 520, the wireless device can determine whether to reusethe wireless medium. For example, the STA 306A can receive in indicationfrom the AP 304A that reuse of the wireless medium is allowed. Inanother embodiment, the STA 306A can unilaterally determine that reuseof the wireless medium is allowed, for example, based on DSC and/orinformation in the transmission from the STA 306B.

Next, at block 530, the wireless device can determine one or more reuseparameters. For example, the STA 306A can receive the reuse parametersfrom the AP 304A via a beacon or broadcast IE. In another embodiment,the STA 306A can unilaterally determine the reuse parameters, forexample, based on parameters that are hard coded or stored in memory,and/or information in the transmission from the STA 306B.

In various embodiments, a plurality of reuse parameters can be differentfor different stations. In other words, different reuse parameters canbe determined for, associated with, and/or received at differentstations on a per-station basis. As an example, the STA 306C can receivea first set of reuse parameters from the AP 304A via a beacon orbroadcast IE. Similarly, the STA 306A can receive a second set of reuseparameters from the AP 304A via a beacon or broadcast IE. Alternatively,the STAs 306A and 306C can each determine their own different reuseparameters unilaterally. In some embodiments, different reuse parameterscan be determined for, associated with, and/or received at differentgroups of stations on a per-group basis. As an example, a first group ofstations, including the STA 304A and the STA 304, can receive a firstset of reuse parameters from the AP 304A via a beacon or broadcast IE.Similarly, a second group of stations (including one or more STAs notshown) can receive a second set of reuse parameters from the AP 304A viaa beacon or broadcast IE.

Thereafter, at block 540, the wireless device can selectively transmit amessage based on said determining whether to reuse the wireless mediumand the one or more reuse parameters. For example, the STA 306A cancompare the reuse parameters (such as OBSS_Thresh) to the transmissionfrom the STA 306B. In one example, the STA 306A can transmit the messagewhen the RSSI of the transmission from the STA 306B is less than theRSSI defined in OBSS_Thresh.

In an embodiment, the method shown in FIG. 5 can be implemented in awireless device that can include a detecting circuit, a determiningcircuit, and a transmitting circuit. Those skilled in the art willappreciate that a wireless device can have more components than thesimplified wireless device described herein. The wireless devicedescribed herein includes only those components useful for describingsome prominent features of implementations within the scope of theclaims.

The detecting circuit can be configured to detect the OBSS transmission.In some embodiments, the detecting circuit can be configured to performat least block 510 of FIG. 5. The detecting circuit can include one ormore of the receiver 212 (FIG. 2), the DSP 220, the processor 204, thememory 206, the signal detector 218, the antenna 216 (FIG. 2), and thetransceiver 214 (FIG. 2). In some implementations, means for detectingcan include the detecting circuit.

The determining circuit can be configured to determine whether reuse isallowed, and/or determine the applicable reuse parameters. In someembodiments, the determining circuit can be configured to perform atleast one of blocks 520 and 530 of FIG. 5. The determining circuit caninclude one or more of the processor 204 (FIG. 2), the memory 206 (FIG.2), and the DSP 220 (FIG. 2). In some implementations, means fordetermining can include the determining circuit.

The transmitting circuit can be configured to selectively transmit amessage reusing the wireless medium. In some embodiments, thetransmitting circuit can be configured to perform at least one of blocks520 and 540 of FIG. 5. The transmitting circuit can include one or moreof the transmitter 210 (FIG. 2), the antenna 216 (FIG. 2), and thetransceiver 214 (FIG. 2). In some implementations, means fortransmitting can include the transmitting circuit.

In various embodiments, the wireless device can include a selectingcircuit. The selecting circuit can be configured to select a reuse mode.The selecting circuit can include one or more of the processor 204 (FIG.2), the memory 206 (FIG. 2), and the DSP 220 (FIG. 2). In someimplementations, means for selecting can include the selecting circuit.

In various embodiments, the wireless device can include a receivingcircuit. The receiving circuit can be configured to receiving the reuseindication and/or reuse parameters, for example as a beacon or IE fromthe AP. The receiving circuit can include one or more of the receiver212 (FIG. 2), the DSP 220, the antenna 216 (FIG. 2), and the transceiver214 (FIG. 2). In some implementations, means for receiving can includethe receiving circuit.

A person/one having ordinary skill in the art would understand thatinformation and signals can be represented using any of a variety ofdifferent technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions,commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that can bereferenced throughout the above description can be represented byvoltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles,optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

Various modifications to the implementations described in thisdisclosure can be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and thegeneric principles defined herein can be applied to otherimplementations without departing from the spirit or scope of thisdisclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to theimplementations shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the claims, the principles and the novel featuresdisclosed herein. The word “exemplary” is used exclusively herein tomean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Anyimplementation described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

Certain features that are described in this specification in the contextof separate implementations also can be implemented in combination in asingle implementation. Conversely, various features that are describedin the context of a single implementation also can be implemented inmultiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination.Moreover, although features can be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more featuresfrom a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from thecombination, and the claimed combination can be directed to asub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

As used herein, a phrase referring to “at least one of” a list of itemsrefers to any combination of those items, including single members. Asan example, “at least one of: a, b, or c” is intended to cover: a, b, c,a-b, a-c, b-c, and a-b-c. As used herein, the terms “and” or “or” may beinterchangeable, and may be interpreted as “and/or” (e.g., anywhere fromone to all of the items in a list).

The various operations of methods described above can be performed byany suitable means capable of performing the operations, such as varioushardware and/or software component(s), circuits, and/or module(s).Generally, any operations illustrated in the Figures can be performed bycorresponding functional means capable of performing the operations.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules and circuits describedin connection with the present disclosure can be implemented orperformed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor(DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a fieldprogrammable gate array signal (FPGA) or other programmable logic device(PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware componentsor any combination thereof designed to perform the functions describedherein. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in thealternative, the processor can be any commercially available processor,controller, microcontroller or state machine. A processor can also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration.

In one or more aspects, the functions described can be implemented inhardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implementedin software, the functions can be stored on or transmitted over as oneor more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media andcommunication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of acomputer program from one place to another. A storage media can be anyavailable media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example,and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM,EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used tocarry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or datastructures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connectionis properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if thesoftware is transmitted from a web site, server, or other remote sourceusing a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digitalsubscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio,and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave areincluded in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein,includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatiledisc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproducedata magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Thus, in some aspects computer readable medium can comprisenon-transitory computer readable medium (e.g., tangible media). Inaddition, in some aspects computer readable medium can comprisetransitory computer readable medium (e.g., a signal). Combinations ofthe above should also be included within the scope of computer-readablemedia.

The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions forachieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions can beinterchanged with one another without departing from the scope of theclaims. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions isspecified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions can bemodified without departing from the scope of the claims.

Further, it should be appreciated that modules and/or other appropriatemeans for performing the methods and techniques described herein can bedownloaded and/or otherwise obtained by a user terminal and/or basestation as applicable. For example, such a device can be coupled to aserver to facilitate the transfer of means for performing the methodsdescribed herein. Alternatively, various methods described herein can beprovided via storage means (e.g., RAM, ROM, a physical storage mediumsuch as a compact disc (CD) or floppy disk, etc.), such that a userterminal and/or base station can obtain the various methods uponcoupling or providing the storage means to the device. Moreover, anyother suitable technique for providing the methods and techniquesdescribed herein to a device can be utilized.

While the foregoing is directed to aspects of the present disclosure,other and further aspects of the disclosure can be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of managing reuse of a wireless medium,comprising: determining, at an access point, whether to allow reuse ofthe wireless medium by one or more stations in a basic service set(BSS); transmitting, upon determining to allow reuse, an indication thatreuse of the wireless medium is permitted for stations meeting acriteria; determining one or more reuse parameters; and transmitting theone or more reuse parameters.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the oneor more reuse parameters comprise a plurality of reuse parameters thatare different for different stations.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: selecting a reuse mode comprising one or more of thefollowing conditions either alone or in combination: stations arepermitted to reuse the wireless medium when detecting an overlapping BSS(OBSS) transmission from a transmitting device that has a receivedsignal strength indication (RSSI) less than a first threshold; stationsare permitted to reuse the wireless medium when a destination device ofthe OBSS transmission has an RSSI less than a second threshold; andstations are permitted to reuse the wireless medium when thetransmitting device and/or intended receiving device has an RSSI lessthan a dynamic threshold that is a function of one or more preambleparameters; and transmitting an indication of the selected reuse mode.4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first threshold and the secondthreshold are the same.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the dynamicthreshold is a function of a transmit power of the transmitting deviceand/or of an intended receiver.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein theone or more reuse parameters comprise one or more of: a transmit power,an energy detection (ED) level, a transmitter received signal strengthindication (RSSI) threshold, an intended receiver RSSI threshold, anRSSI threshold function based on one or more parameters, the one or moreparameters including: transmit power or other parameters included in apreamble of received packets, and an indication of an amount ofinterference tolerated at nodes as a function of one or more parameters.7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether to allow reuse ofthe wireless medium is based on a BSS distance of an access point and/ora BSS distance of the one or more stations.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising determining to allow reuse of the wireless medium andusing enhanced request-to-send and/or enhanced clear-to-sendtransmissions.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the criteria definesthat all stations in the BSS are allowed to reuse the wireless medium,or a subset of stations in the BSS are allowed to reuse the wirelessmedium, wherein the subset of stations are based on the BSS distance ofeach of the one or more stations.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein theaccess point has multiple BSS identifiers, the method further comprisingsignaling one or more BSS identifiers to which the one or more stationsshould defer, or choosing all the BSS identifiers to share the samecolor.
 11. An apparatus configured to manage reuse of a wireless medium,comprising: a processor configured to: determine whether to allow reuseof the wireless medium by one or more stations in a basic service set(BSS); determine one or more reuse parameters; transmit, via atransmitter and upon the determination to allow reuse, an indicationthat reuse of the wireless medium is permitted for stations meeting acriteria; and transmit, via the transmitter, the one or more reuseparameters.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: the processor isfurther configured to select a reuse mode comprising one or more of thefollowing conditions either alone or in combination: stations arepermitted to reuse the wireless medium when detecting an overlapping BSS(OBSS) transmission from a transmitting device that has a receivedsignal strength indication (RSSI) less than a first threshold; stationsare permitted to reuse the wireless medium when a destination device ofthe OBSS transmission has an RSSI less than a second threshold; andstations are permitted to reuse the wireless medium when thetransmitting device and/or intended receiving device has an RSSI lessthan a dynamic threshold that is a function of one or more preambleparameters; and transmit, via the transmitter, an indication of theselected reuse mode.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the firstthreshold and the second threshold are the same, and wherein the dynamicthreshold is a function of a transmit power of the transmitting deviceand/or of an intended receiver.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, whereinthe one or more reuse parameters comprise one or more of: a transmitpower, an energy detection (ED) level, a transmitter received signalstrength indication (RSSI) threshold, an intended receiver RSSIthreshold, an RSSI threshold function based on one or more parameters,the one or more parameters including: transmit power, or otherparameters included in a preamble of received packets, and an indicationof an amount of interference tolerated at nodes as a function of one ormore parameters.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor isconfigured to determine whether to allow reuse of the wireless mediumbased on a BSS distance of an access point and/or a BSS distance of theone or more stations.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein theprocessor is further configured to determine to allow reuse of thewireless medium and to use enhanced request-to-send and/or enhancedclear-to-send transmissions.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein thecriteria defines that all stations in the BSS are allowed to reuse thewireless medium, or a subset of stations in the BSS are allowed to reusethe wireless medium, wherein the subset of stations are based on the BSSdistance of each station of the one or more stations.
 18. The apparatusof claim 11, wherein the apparatus comprises an access point havingmultiple BSS identifiers, and wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to: signal one or more BSS identifiers to which the one ormore stations should defer, or choose all the BSS identifiers to sharethe same color.
 19. A method of reusing a wireless medium, comprising:detecting, at a station, an overlapping basic service set (OBSS)transmission; determining whether to reuse the wireless medium;determining one or more reuse parameters; and selectively transmitting amessage based on said determining whether to reuse the wireless mediumand the one or more reuse parameters.
 20. The method of claim 19,further comprising: selecting a reuse mode comprising one or more of thefollowing conditions either alone or in combination: stations arepermitted to reuse the wireless medium when detecting the OBSStransmission from a transmitting device that has a received signalstrength indication (RSSI) less than a first threshold; stations arepermitted to reuse the wireless medium when a destination device of theOBSS transmission has an RSSI less than a second threshold; and stationsare permitted to reuse the wireless medium when the transmitting devicehas an RSSI less than a dynamic threshold that is a function of one ormore preamble parameters; and applying the selected reuse mode.
 21. Themethod of claim 19, wherein the one or more reuse parameters compriseone or more of: a transmit power, an energy detection (ED) level, atransmitter received signal strength indication (RSSI) threshold, areceiver RSSI threshold, a RSSI threshold function based on one or moreparameters, the one or more parameters including: transmit power, orother parameters included in a preamble of received packets, and anindication of an amount of interference tolerated at nodes as a functionof one or more parameters.
 22. The method of claim 19, whereindetermining whether to reuse the wireless medium is based on a BSSdistance of an access point and/or a BSS distance of the station. 23.The method of claim 19, further comprising determining to reuse thewireless medium and using enhanced request-to-send and/or enhancedclear-to-send transmissions.
 24. The method of claim 19, furthercomprising receiving an indication that reuse of the wireless medium ispermitted for stations meeting a criteria, wherein: the criteria definesthat all stations in a basic service set (BSS) are allowed to reuse thewireless medium, a subset of stations are based on a BSS distance of anaccess point and/or a BSS distance of each station, and the one or moreparameters are defined in the OBSS transmission.
 25. An apparatusconfigured to reuse a wireless medium, comprising: a processorconfigured to: detect an overlapping basic service set (OBSS)transmission; determine whether to reuse the wireless medium; determineone or more reuse parameters; and selectively transmit, via atransmitter, a message based on said determining whether to reuse thewireless medium and the one or more reuse parameters.
 26. The apparatusof claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured to: select areuse mode comprising one or more of the following conditions eitheralone or in combination: stations are permitted to reuse the wirelessmedium when detecting the OBSS transmission from a transmitting devicethat has a received signal strength indication (RSSI) less than a firstthreshold; stations are permitted to reuse the wireless medium when adestination device of the OBSS transmission has an RSSI less than asecond threshold; and stations are permitted to reuse the wirelessmedium when the transmitting device has an RSSI less than a dynamicthreshold that is a function of one or more preamble parameters; andapply the selected reuse mode.
 27. The apparatus of claim 25, whereinthe one or more reuse parameters comprise one or more of: a transmitpower, an energy detection (ED) level, a transmitter received signalstrength indication (RSSI) threshold, a receiver RSSI threshold, a RSSIthreshold function based on one or more parameters, the one or moreparameters including: transmit power or other parameters included in apreamble of received packets, and an indication of an amount ofinterference tolerated at nodes as a function of one or more parameters.28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the processor is configured todetermine whether to reuse the wireless medium based on a BSS distanceof an access point and/or a BSS distance of each station.
 29. Theapparatus of claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured todetermine to reuse the wireless medium and to use enhancedrequest-to-send and/or enhanced clear-to-send transmissions.
 30. Theapparatus of claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured toreceive, via a receiver, an indication that reuse of the wireless mediumis permitted for stations meeting a criteria, wherein, the criteriadefines that all stations in a basic service set (BSS) are allowed toreuse the wireless medium, a subset of stations are based on a BSSdistance of an access point and/or a BSS distance of each station, andthe one or more parameters are defined in the OBSS transmission.